Jon Gruden is an elite coach in football. Listen to the people that know these things best, his peers in football and in broadcasting. The reason he didn't get a lot of offers this previous year was because he came out and said no, I'm going to be an ESPN lackey and take a break, ala Cowher style.

It would be a nice story, but I don't think Al "Just win" Davis will ever hand off control of his franchise unless he's mentally stilled.

Well Al isn't a young kid anymore. He might pull a Steinbrenner and just leave gracefully.

Steinbrenner had some health issues that forced his hand, but Davis is at the same point in his life so its a matter of WHEN not IF at this point

Davis is 81 years old. At some point he will have to just pass off the reigns to someone. And some think when that happens it will be when Gruden could possibly come back into the mix.

Davis will probably keel over and die during one of their games. Seeing the state of his team, I'm sure it will be more exciting than the actual game.

As long as Parcells is running the show, Sporano goes nowhere regardless of 2010's record. Just yesterday Ross said that the team was in Bill's hands on the football side. You will not see Bill get rid of Sporano after this season unless something crazy happens like Sporano completely loses the team ala Cam Cameron

Sorry. I didn't mean to be obscure..I think the position you are advocating is CLEARLY the correct one.

Rick

Mike-this is an unsubstantiated report. I don't think you want to try to support an untenable position with this.

Rick

It's a rumor. I stated it as a RUMOR numerous times.

Just talking football here. Got nothing to prove

The situation with the team is simple...the staff should stay period even if the team is 4-12 or worse this season.

The team will get better results record wise when we get enough talent on the roster to accomplish it and not an excess of injuries.

If you look at the teams that are ALWAYS at the bottom of the league..you'll see the teams that change coaches and staffs often.

> As long as Parcells is running the show, Sporano goes nowhere regardless of 2010's record. Just yesterday Ross said that the team was in Bill's hands on the football side. You will not see Bill get rid of Sporano after this season unless something crazy happens like Sporano completely loses the team ala Cam Cameron

I'm not so convinced as you seem to be on this one.

Sparano, has had his share of run ins with Free Agents and drfat picks and seems to telegraph his every thought in a manner the results in losing trade value.

Parcells is just the opposite, plays it close to the vest.

Another year of NOT closing the gap on holes to fill (be it due to performance or due to attrition), we may see a less chummy alliance.

Sparano needs to regain & exceed the 2008 form in 2010, it is about time for the honeymoon to be over.

finman34 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As long as Parcells is running the show, Sporano
> goes nowhere regardless of 2010's record. Just
> yesterday Ross said that the team was in Bill's
> hands on the football side. You will not see Bill
> get rid of Sporano after this season unless
> something crazy happens like Sporano completely
> loses the team ala Cam Cameron

I agree with this. I'm curious as to thoughts on how many and what game-day mistakes has Tony S made? I can think of a few, but nothing glaring.

The 2 pt conversion vs the Jets this year was horrible. One of the worst head coaching decisions I have seen on an NFL level in all of my life. Didn't cost us the game but it came really close too.

The timeout vs New Orleans before the half played a big part in us losing that game.


Sparano had a rough year last year with in-game decisions. I don't consider him a "bad" in-game coach yet, but if the trend continues then ya.

" One of the worst head coaching decisions I have seen on an NFL level in all of my life. Didn't cost us the game but it came really close too."

Worse then Bellichek against the Colts?

Yes.

Look Belichick has lots of Super Bowl rings, so he has some currency in bank. So he can roll the dice and lose and it isn't horrible. That was an odd call I admit, but he was just 1 yard short of winning the game with that play. He was being aggressive. I don't agree with it but I understand the logic behind it.

The Sparano call is simple math that a kid in high school could figure out. Nothing to do with a play call or anything, just simple math

Sparano's might of been a brain fart, but Belicheks was out of arrogance and it cost them a big game. Really besides the point though, I dont think Tony S has made that many bad game decisions, and it seems like the players like playing for him. Unless we have a total melt down, I dont see him getting canned anytime soon.

My current views on the FO / Coaching Trio

1. Sparano
On field coaching, a few bumbles but not bad in most cases.

My issue is a bit ironic. The one thing I like (his frankness) is a bit mixed in with one thing I don't like ... his stubbornness, and rather inneffective way to work though things when players get on his bad side.

When he gets down on a player, it seems to mushroom beyond the business aspect and before you know it he has to show the player the bench or the door instead of working it thru in some way to motivate the player to higher performance.

2. Ireland
I'm not sure just who meets with prospective players and manages the process, but I'm less than impressed with our style based on comments from the ones that go away, and the ones we're not doing much to attract.

- I like a responsible / frugal approach, but we send some real mixed messages.

- 2nd highest payroll in the NFL last year. Where would you place us in the talent rating area? Lower half of the league at best.

- We have made some good and poor choices ... we have failed to get much of anything for players once we decide they are not the right fit.

Bottom Line: We NEED BETTER PEOPLE SKILLS in the recruiting and player management area.

3. Parcells
I like that he has let Tony run the team.

I like that Tony is a "straight shooter"

I however think he needs to take Tony to lunch and give him one of his mentoring sessions on playing his cards without turning them up for all to see.

Regardng Bellichic and sparano comparisons.

1. As noted ... you get more rope when your team backs it up.

- Even Bellicheat took some heat for his decision.
- Given the conditions, I don't have a big problem with his choice, but it cost him ... I'd have expected tey would have made it too.


2. Bellichic is much more like Parcells in what he doesn't say, to send a message to people (media or players).

- Bellichic has made numerous unpopular decisions with vets that appeared to have plenty in the tank ... only to find that the team ended up with a good replacement and a compensatory pick.
- He has earned the right to take risks with his success in many dimensions of the job

3. The part I'd like to see Sparano / and the GM get better at is in how they relate with exisating and prospective players.
- It is business, not an emotional thing
- Spending a little more in the respect and schmoozing arena would be a good thing.
- I'd have expected Parcells to mentor here, but he had his years of being a bull in the china shop too.

Adding that just released San Fran GM to our staff would do wonders. Bring a level head and a voice of reason to the room I think.

Couldn't hurt.